Is it realistic to expect a decent truck for $5000?
09-11-2019, 01:39 PM
#11
The 5.4L Triton V8 can be a nightmare to maintain. Unless you have money set aside for this, I'd stay clear of the F-150. The spark plugs can be a major issue but if they've been done (and use a different spark plug than was originally installed), you may be okay. The plugs COULD have been fixed in a 2007, depending on when it was manufactured that year. Definitely check it! A truck with 133K miles should have had the spark plugs replaced at least once already.
On the flip side, the cam phaser problem is pretty much guaranteed to happen and the only way (as far as I know) to keep it from becoming a problem AFTER you've fixed it is to use an oil filter with properly-sized holes to ensure the cam phaser gets plenty of oil AND shorten your oil change intervals, especially if you drive in short intervals. You can get a lockout kit for relatively cheap but it'll cost you about $1000 with install. That resolves the cam phaser issue but you will also get a CEL with it (though you can get a tune that handles that as well). Either way, it's a fair bit of work to do but it resolves the issue for the life of the motor.
Long story short, the 5.4L Triton is NOT considered a reliable, easy-to-maintain engine by anyone. Be warned and be ready if you do buy a truck with that motor.
On the flip side, the cam phaser problem is pretty much guaranteed to happen and the only way (as far as I know) to keep it from becoming a problem AFTER you've fixed it is to use an oil filter with properly-sized holes to ensure the cam phaser gets plenty of oil AND shorten your oil change intervals, especially if you drive in short intervals. You can get a lockout kit for relatively cheap but it'll cost you about $1000 with install. That resolves the cam phaser issue but you will also get a CEL with it (though you can get a tune that handles that as well). Either way, it's a fair bit of work to do but it resolves the issue for the life of the motor.
Long story short, the 5.4L Triton is NOT considered a reliable, easy-to-maintain engine by anyone. Be warned and be ready if you do buy a truck with that motor.
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Justapickup (09-11-2019)
09-11-2019, 02:08 PM
#13
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I have a super nice rust free 2wd 99 suburban with 144k Miles i would sell you for 5k. Not sure if it would work for you or not. Main problem is though I’m almost all the way across the country in Cincinnati lol. If you are possibly interested let me know if not good luck with the search!
09-12-2019, 11:50 AM
#15
The 5.4L Triton V8 can be a nightmare to maintain. Unless you have money set aside for this, I'd stay clear of the F-150. The spark plugs can be a major issue but if they've been done (and use a different spark plug than was originally installed), you may be okay. The plugs COULD have been fixed in a 2007, depending on when it was manufactured that year. Definitely check it! A truck with 133K miles should have had the spark plugs replaced at least once already.
On the flip side, the cam phaser problem is pretty much guaranteed to happen and the only way (as far as I know) to keep it from becoming a problem AFTER you've fixed it is to use an oil filter with properly-sized holes to ensure the cam phaser gets plenty of oil AND shorten your oil change intervals, especially if you drive in short intervals. You can get a lockout kit for relatively cheap but it'll cost you about $1000 with install. That resolves the cam phaser issue but you will also get a CEL with it (though you can get a tune that handles that as well). Either way, it's a fair bit of work to do but it resolves the issue for the life of the motor.
Long story short, the 5.4L Triton is NOT considered a reliable, easy-to-maintain engine by anyone. Be warned and be ready if you do buy a truck with that motor.
On the flip side, the cam phaser problem is pretty much guaranteed to happen and the only way (as far as I know) to keep it from becoming a problem AFTER you've fixed it is to use an oil filter with properly-sized holes to ensure the cam phaser gets plenty of oil AND shorten your oil change intervals, especially if you drive in short intervals. You can get a lockout kit for relatively cheap but it'll cost you about $1000 with install. That resolves the cam phaser issue but you will also get a CEL with it (though you can get a tune that handles that as well). Either way, it's a fair bit of work to do but it resolves the issue for the life of the motor.
Long story short, the 5.4L Triton is NOT considered a reliable, easy-to-maintain engine by anyone. Be warned and be ready if you do buy a truck with that motor.
09-12-2019, 01:33 PM
#16
I've increased my budget. What do you guys think of this one?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Type=spotlight
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...Type=spotlight
I would try for 05-06 Tundra. Major changes were the engine came with VVTI that has an extra 40ish HP and the 5 speed auto transmission..
09-12-2019, 01:35 PM
#17
The one linked, if maintained well, should still be a good reliable truck for quite some time, but for the price I would search around a bit more for the 05 if you can find one.
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